 Strolling through Huashan Creative Park Growing up in the laid-back south end of Taiwan, I've always loved the faster pace up north and fantasized the busy streets and crowded subway in Taipei. Gary and I got to explore the capital city together in 2013, and it was really so much fun with so much to do and eat and see! I'm not sure if I'd want to live in such a dense and busy place with our little family, but for vacation it was absolutely perfect. Two weeks ago, I took the opportunity of leaving the kids with family and went up to Taipei for a quick getaway on my own (lucky me!!) My sister set aside a big chunk of time to keep me company, and I got to see and stay at a best friend's new place for the night I was there. I told them I wanted to hit up all the great bookstores they know and my wish was granted. It was so luxurious to browse quietly through aisles of books :) I've been wanting to expand our mandarin books collection at home, and I was happy to find some old-school gems for the kids there. I didn't take too many photos during my visit but these few are some of my favorites::  I can't remember the last time we got to be in a picture together. Love laughing and being like a kid again with my sister!  Being silly with camera poses. Things sisters do together ;)  Drinking one of my favorite drinks, passion fruit tea with jellies!  Ofi and her adorable belly, checking out children's books♥️ It was a wonderful (and a bit surreal) treat to have a trip all to myself as these opportunities don't come easily these days. I was missing the kids a lot but appreciated the chance so much to regroup and recharge - thanks to my considerate parents and aunties who made it all possible. I'm seriously the luckiest :)
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 Babygirl and I hit 26 weeks yesterday! Even though she is so active in there, I really don't think about her much in our day to day life (the fate of the fourth child, maybe?) Life with 3 kids in Taiwan, especially without Gary here, has been quite stressful and chaotic in many unexpected ways. Being away from home and our familiar routine has been hard on everybody. I often feel so inadequate as a mom during our time here, and all I pray for every morning is just a little more patience and grace for all of us. Despite all else, this stage is feeling great. I've been indulging in all kinds of Taiwanese street food that I've missed so dearly, and have been able to sleep in a little in the mornings, thanks to my dad helping with the kids' breakfast. And for that, I am so very thankful. 14 more weeks to go, babygirl! Love you so much. Thank you for being so good and healthy in there, so mama doesn't have to worry about you just yet :)
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